Botanical freeze drying system and method

Abstract

Systems and methods for freeze drying botanical or herb items or products using a modular vacuum chamber configuration are provided. Such configurations can reduce or prevent the evaporative loss of volatile compounds while reducing the temperature and removing air to prevent oxidation of the product. The freeze drying systems and methods of the present invention can improve organoleptic characteristics, shelf life, and extractions.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A modular system for freeze drying botanical items, comprising:
 a plurality of vacuum chambers each including a lid structure; 
 at least one conduit in operable communication with the plurality of vacuum chambers; 
 a plurality of valve devices in operable communication with the respective plurality of vacuum chambers; 
 a condenser device in operable communication with the at least one conduit and the plurality of vacuum chambers; and 
 a vacuum pump in operable communication with the condenser device. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , further including a vacuum gauge in operable communication with the plurality of vacuum chambers. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of valve devices is a three-way valve device. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , further including a housing structure. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 4 , wherein the housing structure houses the plurality of vacuum chambers. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 4 , wherein the housing structure is a walk-in structure. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one conduit includes a plurality of conduits. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , further including a door structure to selectively seal and isolate the plurality of vacuum chambers from at least the condenser device and the vacuum pump. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , further including a centralized vacuum manifold in operable communication with the plurality of vacuum chambers. 
     
     
       10. A modular system for freeze drying botanical items, comprising:
 a housing structure including;
 three or more vacuum chambers; 
 at least one conduit in operable communication with the three or more vacuum chambers; 
 three or more valve devices in operable communication with the respective three or more vacuum chambers; 
 
 a condenser device provided outside the housing structure and in operable communication with the at least one conduit and the three or more vacuum chambers; and 
 a vacuum pump provided outside the housing structure and in operable communication with the condenser device. 
 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10 , further including a vacuum gauge in operable communication with the three or more vacuum chambers. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the three or more valve devices is a three-way valve device. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one conduit includes a plurality of conduits. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 10 , further including a door structure to selectively seal and isolate the three or more vacuum chambers from at least the condenser device and the vacuum pump. 
     
     
       15. A modular system for freeze drying botanical items, comprising:
 a walk-in housing structure including;
 a plurality of vacuum chambers; 
 at least one conduit in operable communication with the plurality of vacuum chambers; 
 a plurality of valve devices in operable communication with the respective plurality of vacuum chambers; 
 
 a condenser device provided in operable communication with the at least one conduit and the plurality of vacuum chambers; and 
 a vacuum pump provided in operable communication with the condenser device. 
 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 15 , further including a vacuum gauge in operable communication with the plurality of vacuum chambers. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the plurality of valve devices is a three-way valve device. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one conduit includes a plurality of conduits. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 15 , further including one or more table banks to house one or more of the plurality of vacuum chambers. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one conduit includes centralized vacuum manifold.